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What to see, what to expect when hiking one of the many trails at local state parks
The bridge leading to the Spring Trail at Ha Ha Tonka.
Charis Patires
Whether you are looking for a short hike with the family dog or a rugged backpacking excursion, there are trails at the Lake’s two state parks to meet your needs. Both the Lake of the Ozarks State Park and Ha Ha Tonka State Park are full of places that offer quiet seclusion and great views of the Lake.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Lake of the Ozarks State Park has over 57 miles of hiking and trails offering something for everyone. It’s got more than 17,000 acres to explore making it the largest in the state park system.
Trail of Four Winds
Length 16 miles
The Trail of Four Winds is the longest in the park, accommodating for hiking, backpacking, mountain biking and even horseback riding. It has several different loops, so you won’t have to do the whole thing at once. The trail winds through oak hickory forest, open grasslands and bottomland hardwoods. Such diversity provides stunning views of the Lake, an old quarry, rock formations and a glimpse of the Grand Glaize marsh. A boardwalk leads to a platform atop a rocky outcrop, providing a scenic view of the forested valley below.
Lakeview Bend Trail
Length 1.5 miles
The Lakeview Bend Trail has towering limestone bluffs and steep rocky slopes etched by Grand Glaize Creek. The first portion of this loop passes along the base of steep cliffs near the Lake. This moderate hiking trail also provides access to the amphitheater, beach and lower sections of the park’s main campground. Campers and anglers who would like access to the Lake use this trail. For a longer hike, Lakeview connects to Fawn’s Ridge Trail.
Fawn’s Ridge Trail
Length 2 miles
Fawn’s Ridge Trail is an easy hike that winds along the side of a wooded ridge, then circles a hilltop. Fawn’s Ridge also has a half-mile loop designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. The trail abounds with white-tail deer and other wildlife.
Honey Run Trail
Length South loop-2.6 miles; north loop-4.4 miles; main
section-3.1 miles
On the south side of the park off Route A, Honey Run Trail is really three diverse trails in one. It is one of two trails where mountain biking is allowed and includes several different loops and a wide variety of natural features, including wetter mesic bottomlands, upland woodlands and dry chert woodlands. In places, this trail has wonderful views of the Lake.
Rocky Top Trail
Length 3 miles
Another good trail, located off Highway 54 in Osage Beach near Public Beach No. 2, is the Rocky Top Trail. It begins at the Grand Glaize Beach Recreation Area and has two loops. The first loop takes you through Rocky Top Glade, as well as along savanna and other dry woodland slopes. The second loop winds through a rich north-facing slope out to a lake overlook atop a bluff. This is a great place to watch the sun rise over the Ozark hills.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park
West of Camdenton at Ha Ha Tonka State Park there are 14 different and unique trails. These trails range from a quarter of a mile to nearly seven miles long. The park is famous for the ruins of the 20th century estate house know as the Castle. The park is also known for it impressive karst geology and woodland/glade complexes. Karst landscapes are typically limestone or dolomite bedrock and are characterized by caves, springs, sinkholes and natural bridges.
Turkey Pen Hollow Trail
Length 7 miles
Turkey Pen Hollow Trail winds through nearly a thousand acres of the Turkey Pen Hollow Oak Woodland Natural Area. Here you will find a unique variety of dolomite glades, dry chert woodlands and upland flatwoods that are rare to Missouri, along with hundreds of plants, native wildflowers and animals unique to those types of communities.
Dolomite Rock Trail
Length 2.5 miles (follow the blue blazes and numbered posts)
This trail is composed of two sections. A corresponding brochure, which can be picked up at the front of the trail, explains geologic features, plants and animals in this area and their association with the park’s dolomite bedrock. The first part of the trail is an easier hike and the second section of the trail starts with an uphill climb that traverses a woodland complex and a large hilltop glade.
Colosseum Trail
Length 1/2 mile (follow the yellow blazes)
This trail allows you to experience the unique environment of a sinkhole. Although a bit more rugged, it is perfect for a stroll because of the abundance of early spring wildflowers. The initial portion of the trail leads under the natural bridge and lets you experience the thrill of entering all that remains of a large cave. If you hike beyond the natural bridge, you will see firsthand how the sheer rock walls of the sinkhole trap the moisture and warmth of the day, creating an ideal growing condition for wildflowers and trees.
Spring Trail
Length 1.5 miles (follow the blue blazes)
The distance to the spring is just a half-mile and it is also a mostly paved walk, making it ideal for people of various physical conditions and ages. The first part of this trail allows visitors to enjoy a walk next to the Lake’s shoreline. Once past the site of an old gristmill, hikers can walk alongside a narrow channel of cool spring water. Past the island is the vista to the 10th largest spring in Missouri. There are also wooden stairs leading atop to the spring bluff and to the old post office. The step portion of this trail is strenuous but can make for a fun and challenging climb.
Island Trail
Length 1/2 mile (follow the green blazes)
Although a bit more rugged terrain, if you choose to hike this trail you will get an up close look at the Balanced Rock that perches precariously on the island. Continuing your hike beyond Balanced Rock, the path allows you to walk near the lake edge and along Trout Glen, a tranquil spot beneath the castle bluff that owes its existence to the cool waters of Ha Ha Tonka Spring.
Here are a few reminders for using the park trails. Be prepared! Bring a map, compass, some food and water with you. Cell phones are a great idea, but may not work in all areas of the parks. Carry out what you carry in. If others have left trash, carry it out with you. Wear the proper footwear and clothing and stay on the designated trails. Do not try to take shortcuts. During the summer months, ticks and chiggers are abundant, so insect repellent is a good idea. These trails have been laid out to minimize destruction of surrounding vegetation, so be careful and enjoy the great outdoors in Missouri State Parks.
Information on Lake of the Ozarks State Park provided by Tyler Schwartze, park specialist and group camp coordinator for Lake of the Ozarks State Park. Information on Ha Ha Tonka State Park provided by Ha Ha Tonka park specialists.
